Ponting and young 'keeper/batsman Paine had a big influence on the course of play, laying the platform for the middle order with a fine partnership of 97 that neutralised the early threat of the new ball.

Hussey's late clean hitting was also welcome given mounting speculation about his place in the Test and one-day sides ahead of the home summer.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1 for 39) was the tidiest of India's bowlers, who otherwise suffered considerable punishment on a flat pitch and fast outfield that will give their batsmen a chance of chasing down the total.

Encouragingly for the home side, Ishant Sharma (3 for 50) gave glimpses of some improved rhythm with the ball following his poor Champions Trophy campaign.

There had been some early swing for India's opening pair of Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar after Ponting won the toss, and it was with a beautifully pitched in-ducker that Nehra removed Shane Watson, lbw for 5 in the second over.

Paine played and missed numerous times at Kumar's subtle movement, but in between struck the ball cleanly and soon developed a strong union with his occasional state team-mate Ponting.

Together they took the visitors into a position of strength, and it was a surprise when Paine snicked an attempted cut at Sharma to be caught behind.

Some of Ponting's offside strokes were of the very highest quality, but his one six arrived via a top edge over the head of fine leg.

He seemed century-bound when he became Jadeja's maiden international wicket, lbw on the back pad.

The rest of the innings lacked Ponting's majesty, though White hammered with typical strength and Hussey alternated heaves with paddles.

James Hopes and Mitchell Johnson produced a late spike in the scoring rate, including one compelling Hopes blow over extra cover from a Kumar slower delivery.

The Australians earlier included both Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz out of the NSW side that won the Twenty20 Champions League final only 36 hours before, while Adam Voges was picked to fill the middle order hole left by Callum Ferguson.